Watching videos from iMac onto LCD TV

1. Convert an AVI file and subtitles files into an ffmpeg DVD format file (mpg).
2. Use Roxio Toast to burn this file onto the DVD.
3. Play DVD in DVD player to watch on home theater system.
(Approximate time for everything: 90 minutes--and if everything goes ok)

This is what I would like to do:

1. Watch the AVI file with subtitles on VLC Player on my computer and have it beamed to my LCD automatically.
(Approximate time: 0 minutes)

Now, for my scenario 2, could I use Apple TV to beam stuff on to the LCD TV in my living room? (Using Airport Extreme or whatever)?

Basically, I want to have *nothing* to do with iTunes at any stage in the process. Is this possible with Apple TV?

1. Convert an AVI file and subtitles files into an ffmpeg DVD format file (mpg).
2. Use Roxio Toast to burn this file onto the DVD.
3. Play DVD in DVD player to watch on home theater system.
(Approximate time for everything: 90 minutes--and if everything goes ok)

This is what I would like to do:

1. Watch the AVI file with subtitles on VLC Player on my computer and have it beamed to my LCD automatically.
(Approximate time: 0 minutes)

Now, for my scenario 2, could I use Apple TV to beam stuff on to the LCD TV in my living room? (Using Airport Extreme or whatever)?

Basically, I want to have *nothing* to do with iTunes at any stage in the process. Is this possible with Apple TV?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Short Answer, No.

You could pick up a refurb Mac Mini instead, and connect that to your TV. That would work.

1. Convert an AVI file and subtitles files into an ffmpeg DVD format file (mpg).
2. Use Roxio Toast to burn this file onto the DVD.
3. Play DVD in DVD player to watch on home theater system.
(Approximate time for everything: 90 minutes--and if everything goes ok)

This is what I would like to do:

1. Watch the AVI file with subtitles on VLC Player on my computer and have it beamed to my LCD automatically.
(Approximate time: 0 minutes)

Now, for my scenario 2, could I use Apple TV to beam stuff on to the LCD TV in my living room? (Using Airport Extreme or whatever)?

Basically, I want to have *nothing* to do with iTunes at any stage in the process. Is this possible with Apple TV?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

You CAN watch AVI's on your Apple TV without having to do anything with itunes, re-encoding etc.
The way to do it is to install additional software and codecs on your ATV, aka Patching. you would not use VLC but another media player.
So there is a way to do.
Patching is pretty simple.
PM me if you need more info.

1. Convert an AVI file and subtitles files into an ffmpeg DVD format file (mpg).
2. Use Roxio Toast to burn this file onto the DVD.
3. Play DVD in DVD player to watch on home theater system.
(Approximate time for everything: 90 minutes--and if everything goes ok)

This is what I would like to do:

1. Watch the AVI file with subtitles on VLC Player on my computer and have it beamed to my LCD automatically.
(Approximate time: 0 minutes)

Now, for my scenario 2, could I use Apple TV to beam stuff on to the LCD TV in my living room? (Using Airport Extreme or whatever)?

Basically, I want to have *nothing* to do with iTunes at any stage in the process. Is this possible with Apple TV?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Why not get a DVI->S-Video dongle, and have your TV mirror the iMac display? It will only cost about $20...

Why not get a DVI->S-Video dongle, and have your TV mirror the iMac display? It will only cost about $20...

Click to expand...

If the TV supports it I'd go with a DVI to HDMI cable. Depending upon length it's only about $10. This will be the highest quality video option. Then you just need to get audio out of the computer (unlike HDMI, DVI does not carry audio information)

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